Best Portable Dishwasher Reviews 2018

Many a sumptuous meal has been marred by the thought of dishwashing chores that must follow after. A portable/compact dishwasher saves you from this, especially if you have a small kitchen. But how do you get all the features you need in such a convenient unit? You just have to do your due diligence. We’ve made things easier for you by picking five top brands (after spending hours researching dishwashers). You can rest assured that any brand you pick from our reviews below delivers as promised. Although we have only highlighted one product for each brand, there are other models for you to pick from in case you can’t find the features you need in the models reviewed.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Size

Consumption

Material

Settings

Extras

Our Top Choice

SPT SD-9241W Energy Star Portable Dishwasher

SPT, a brand that takes pride in making energy-efficient and eco-friendly appliances, delivers an easy-to-use portable dishwasher with features that make your life simpler.

Saves money on energy consumption. Easy controls. Connects easily to any kitchen faucet. Time delay for operation at a later time. 8 place settings. Accommodates large pots/plates.

A number of users complain about its drying ability.

26 x 17.7 x 36 in; 121.3 lb

3.65 gallons (normal cycle)

Iron with steel door

8

Residual heat drying system

Best Value

EdgeStar 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher

EdgeStar, a brand committed to making your kitchen life easier, presents an attractive, easy-to-maintain/clean, feature-rich and affordable countertop dishwasher.

How Do I Choose the Best Portable Dishwasher?

After the stress and hassle of meal preparation, the last thing that most people want to do is to wash the dishes; remember those instances when you have looked at the pots, pans, dinnerware, cookware and all, and wished they could magically wash themselves? Well, you are not alone; a lot of people empathize with you. Thank God for dishwashers! But the challenge is that you don’t have space to install a dishwasher, not to worry, that's why they made portable countertop dishwashers. They perform the same function as the regular ones that are installed but occupy less space and are portable enough for you to change its position as needed.

When you start considering the purchase of a portable dishwasher, you might do well to look at brands that have other home appliances like washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and similar items. If a brand has proven reliable with one or more appliances, the likelihood of a line of dependable products is higher.

Price

A portable countertop dishwasher is a great investment especially for people who a have small kitchen and not enough space for all the energy and time saving devices that they would love to have. A portable dishwasher can be purchased for anywhere from $250 and $800; these prices are just a guide for you to have an idea of what you might expect to spend (plus or minus).

During our research, we came across some cheap portable countertop dishwashers, but they are not featured here as they do not meet the criteria of dishwashers that should be on your consideration list.

We are confident of these brands/products that we have featured in this review. They are top quality and worth your time and money and would deliver as advertised.

Features

Just like any household item, a countertop dishwasher is not an item that you just walk into a store and pick up. You need to find out what works for you, your budget and your space. Here are a few features that you'll do well to bear in mind as you go shopping:

Measurement – Knowing the measurement of the space and the appliance would help a lot

Setting of water heater – Check and know the settings of the water heater

Pump - Check to be sure it has a pump or review the way you’ll use it

Capacity – This is how many dishes it can hold which determines how often you would need to run it

Drying Cycle - Not all portable models have drying cycles

Material the interior is made of - This affects the quality and durability

Efficient use of water and energy - If you buy a size and model that's not proportionate to your needs, you will use more water and energy than you should

Construction and Design

It is important to measure the space you have both for when the dishwasher is in use and when it is not. If you would be using it on a countertop, ensure that you have the space for the size you want to purchase; also don’t forget to measure your cabinet both top and bottom.

Some portable dishwashers have up to six place settings, which may also be the same number of settings that the regular dishwashers have. Check out the model that you want to buy to be sure that it can cater to your dishwashing needs. If you buy one that is not big enough, you would have to run it so many times that the purpose of getting one would be negated.

In most cases, portable dishwashers that have interiors that are made of stainless steel have a longer life span than the ones that are made of plastic. Although the ones that are plastic inside may be cheaper than those that are stainless steel, in the long run, the price difference would not be profitable; so you might decide to just go ahead and buy the longer lasting one from the get go.

If you want a dishwasher that has a drying cycle, you shouldn’t forget to check to ensure that the model you are considering has it, as not all models come with the drying cycle feature.

Performance and Ease of Use

A dishwasher that would be placed lower than the kitchen sink should have a pump that would enable it to pump water to the drain. If it doesn’t have a pump then you are compelled to put it on the same level with the sink for easy drainage of water; so don’t forget to check for a pump so that the lack thereof would not upset your plan.

A lot of portable dishwashers have water heaters with different strengths. They mostly have more than one setting that would enable you to change the water heater’s power output. You need to understand this so that you are aware of what you need and what you are getting. Although portable dishwashers are more energy and water efficient than the installed ones, if you buy the wrong size, you would have defeated that advantage. The number of cycles it runs would determine the efficiency and energy and water saved. Ultimately, it all comes down to getting the right dimensions and ensuring that you buy the one that would most conveniently meet your dishwashing needs.

What is the Best Portable Dishwasher?

A college student has different dish-washing needs from a parent of four. Features that are essential to a parent, like a child lock function, might be unnecessary for the student. We believe that having read our buying guide, you are better equipped to know the right features for you. It is important that you look for features that will make things easier for you and ignore those that you don’t need. When you find a product/brand that gives you your preferred features, go for it. It is the best for you in your current situation.

Our Top Choice

SPT saves you money on energy consumption, but it does more with the SD-9241W Portable Dishwasher. This dishwasher is easy to connect, comes with plenty of space and has 8 place settings. If you prefer a stainless steel exterior with the same great features (the featured product is white), we recommend the SD-9241SS by SPT.

SPT Portable Dishwasher SD-9241W - White

Features

With a focus on creating energy-efficient products that are eco-friendly, SPT manufactures appliances that save you money by decreasing energy use. But that's not all this company offers. Every product from SPT comes with useful features that make it a delight to use.

The SD-9241W Portable Dishwasher (selling for $475.00) lives up to that tradition. This Energy Star-rated dishwasher saves you money with an estimated energy consumption of 295kwh/yr. It has 8 standard place settings and easy controls. Connection to any kitchen faucet is easy, eliminating the need for permanent installation or direct plumbing.

Other features include:

Time delay feature which allows you to program operation for a later start time (1-24 hours)

Rinse aid warning indicator: Refill reminder on rinse aid

6 wash programs (Heavy, all-in-1, light, normal, rinse and speed)

Adjustable upper basket to accommodate large pots/plates

Error alarm which displays fault codes

Durable stainless steel interior

Automatic detergent and rinse agent dispenser

Water temperature up to 154°F

Water consumption (normal cycle) of 3.65 gallons

Noise level of 55dB at normal levels

3-foot drain tube

This product is part of the Energy Star Portable Dishwasher line from SPT. Models differ in dimensions, features and finish.

If you want an easier life in your kitchen, you have the perfect ally in EdgeStar. Banish the dread of doing dishes with this attractive countertop portable dishwasher. If you prefer a black exterior, check out the PDW60EB Countertop Dishwasher (by Koldfront, a sister brand to EdgeStar).

EdgeStar Portable Dishwasher DWP61ES - Silver

Features

EdgeStar, a leader in compact appliances, is committed to making your busy life easier with well-designed products that are also budget-friendly. When you buy from this company, you enter into a relationship with a brand that prides itself on attentive customer support. Its 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher gives you a true taste of EdgeStar’s values.

Selling for just $389.99, this low-profile countertop dishwasher takes up little space and so fits under most cabinetry. It is easy to hook up to most kitchen faucets, thanks to its quick-connect faucet adapter and five-foot hose. You’ll save money, since it uses approximately 61 percent less energy (200 KWh/year) when compared with similar units. Other product highlights include:

Digital control panel with LED display, time remaining display and child lock function

You can count on Frigidaire kitchen products. That’s why they are found in many American kitchens. If you want to do your dishes right without the fuss that you experience with lesser machines, the Frigidaire 18'' Portable Dishwasher is the answer. But if you prefer a built-in dishwasher, we recommend the 18 In. Built-In Dishwasher.

Frigidaire Portable Dishwasher FFPD1821MB -- Black

Features

Frigidaire, a name that’s found in most American kitchens, is synonymous with high-quality kitchen products. It is a recognized leader in the home appliance industry, with innovations that make you more productive. That’s what you get in the Frigidaire 18'' Portable Dishwasher. It sells for $799.00, but our research shows you can get it for less at Amazon.

This portable dishwasher ensures dishes are dry and ready for use (or to be put away once the cycle is completed) thanks to its heated dry function. It is Energy Star certified, which means it is designed to save you a bit of cash on energy consumption. There’s more to this feature-rich dishwasher:

Premium stainless steel interior for maximum durability

Removable, self-cleaning filter

Delay start allows you to set your dishwasher to run at your convenience

Ready-select® controls for easy selection of options with the touch of a button

Easy-to-use multiple cleaning cycle options

Upper and lower racks accommodate dishware of various shapes and sizes

When you don’t want to make a choice between quality and price, Danby is an easy option. The affordable Danby 6 Place Setting Dishwasher gives you a simple but powerful machine for dishwashing chores. If you prefer a unit with 8 place settings and wheels (and don’t mind spending a bit more), try the Danby 8 Place Setting Dishwasher.

Danby 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher With Low Water Consumption

Danby Compact Dishwasher DDW611WLED – White

Features

Danby creates inspired and brilliant appliances that fit both your space and your budget. You can count on this company’s products if you want to keep your life organized without breaking the bank. The Danby 6 Place Setting Dishwasher (selling for $263.61) helps you keep things clean and organized in the kitchen.

This dishwasher will save you money (in water bills) because of its low water consumption design (3.17 gallons/12 liters during normal cycle). It is also quite easy to hook up to your kitchen faucet. But there’s more to this unit:

Attention to details in a product often means a hefty price tag. Magic Chef strives to be different in this regard. With easy-to-use controls, you can’t go wrong with its 6-Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher. But if you need more features (like a flowmeter water sensor), we recommend the MCSCD6W1 Countertop Dishwasher .

Magic Chef Portable Dishwasher MCSCD6W3 -- White

Features

Magic Chef is a leader in kitchenware and appliances. This company focuses on providing value and performance in every product offered to its customers. You can count on attention to details in every product with the Magic Chef name on it.

The 6-Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher might sell for a modest $250.99 (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) but it lives up to the values we’ve come to associate with the Magic Chef brand. It comes with useful features like:

Interior arrangement which includes a cup rack and cutlery basket

6 wash cycle options to choose from using the program knob

Intuitive electronic controls with digital display

Anti-food device provides protection when the water level is too high

Hygienic residual drying system means you don’t use air outside the dishwasher

Convenient self-installation using the quick setup kit

Automatic detergent and rinse aid dispenser

Magic Chef has other countertop dishwashers. They come in different dimensions and model-specific features.

Get the Best Portable Dishwasher of 2018!

It is our hope that we have provided you enough information to buy your dishwasher with confidence. Now you don’t have to worry about doing dishes after that sumptuous meal; you can grab the ideal counter-top dishwasher to do it for you!

Our Top Choice

SPT SD-9241W Energy Star Portable Dishwasher

Best Value

EdgeStar 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher

Frigidaire 18'' Portable Dishwasher

Danby 6 Place Setting Portable Dishwasher

Magic Chef 6-Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher

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